Man pleads guilty to helping build fatal bombs

July 18, 2001|By Matt O'Connor, Tribune staff reporter.

A Michigan man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Chicago to helping build pipe bombs used to kill a City Colleges janitor to silence him from going to authorities about an extensive identity theft scheme.

Jason Bucher, 22, formerly of Ann Arbor, admitted he bought explosive materials and other necessary components and then instructed co-defendant Sienky Lallemand on how to assemble the pipe bombs.

Bucher acknowledged showing Lallemand how to wire the triggering mechanism so the bombs would detonate on opening a package, authorities said.

Bucher agreed to cooperate with law enforcement officials and is expected to be a key government witness at Lallemand's trial for the bombing death in February 2000 of Marcus Toney, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. Lawrence Beaumont.

Lallemand is charged with mailing two pipe bombs in a box that was first taken to be gift-wrapped at Marshall Field's after Toney discovered Lallemand victimized him in a credit-card fraud scheme, authorities said. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Lallemand.

Toney's estranged wife, Lisa, who authorities say was romantically involved with Lallemand, is charged with helping in the identity theft.

Bucher pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count each of transporting a bomb across state lines with the intent to kill and conspiring to damage a building with explosives.

The transportation of an explosive carries a potential death sentence, but prosecutors have agreed to recommend Bucher be sentenced to 15 years in prison in return for his cooperation.